DATE=8/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN / INDIA NUCLEAR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252922
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan has accused India of planning to
escalate the nuclear and conventional arms race in
South Asia to a higher and more dangerous level. Lisa
Schlein in Geneva reports Pakistan's ambassador told
the U-N disarmament conference that his country would
respond to any threats from India.
TEXT: Pakistan says India's new draft nuclear
doctrine proves India is planning to create a huge
arsenal of land-based, sea-based, and air-based
nuclear forces.
The Indian document which was released Tuesday says
India will pursue a credible nuclear deterrence. But
it says India would not strike first.
Pakistani Ambassador, Munir Akram, rejected the Indian
statement. He said India's promise to use nuclear
weapons only in retaliation is "incredible." He also
said Pakistan would be obliged to respond to India's
planned build-up of conventional weapons.
/// AKRIM ACT ///
Moreover, the growing imbalance in conventional
military capabilities will intensify Pakistan's
reliance on its nuclear capabilities to deter
the use or threat of aggression or domination by
India.
/// END ACT ///
The Pakistani ambassador said India's new doctrine
calls into question assurances given to Pakistan and
the international community that India will accept
restraints regarding nuclear deployment. He said
India's actions are hastening the danger of nuclear
use in South Asia.
The ambassador's remarks drew an angry response from
India's envoy to the disarmament conference. India's
Ambassador, Savitri Kunadi, called Pakistan's comments
regarding her country's nuclear policy unwarranted and
ill-informed.
/// KUNADI ACT ///
There is no change in the Indian position on
the doctrine of minimum credible deterrence and
its elements as stated in the C-D (disarmament
conference) and other fora in the past.
Attempts by the delegation of Pakistan to drag
in this document into the deliberations of this
conference are unfortunate.
/// END ACT///
The ambassador said India has made consistent efforts
to improve relations with Pakistan and live in amity
and peace. But she said Pakistan has repeatedly
betrayed trust between the two countries.
For its part, Pakistan is calling for the immediate
resumption of talks with India to deal with Kashmir
and other volatile issues. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
19-Aug-1999 09:26 AM EDT (19-Aug-1999 1326 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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